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No matter how much he means to you, sometimes it’s just plain difficult to decide on a gift for the fitness-loving guy in your life. We guys are not always the best communicators, so you don’t always get great hints from us, to say the least. If this sounds like your dilemma, never fear; we’ve got you covered with a guide for the best fitness gifts for him.
Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift idea, a special day gift, or just a gift to say you’re thinking of him, we’ve compiled a gift guide, ranging from great strength training gifts, to cardio equipment—even the best supplements for men. We’ve also included some quality budget items, so you won’t have to break the bank for your gift.
Best Gifts Under $60
Under $30
XWERKS Shaker Bottle
Coming in five colors, the XWERKS Steel Shaker Bottle is sure to be a great gift for the gym-goer in your life. This 24-ounce stainless steel shaker cup will keep his post-workout protein shake cold during the most grueling workouts.
Under $40
Trigger Point GRID
No matter the type of training he’s into—running, lifting, or HIIT—he’ll enjoy the TriggerPoint GRID to help roll out and massage sore muscles after a tough workout. Able to target any large muscle group, this foam roller will suit any of his needs, and can fit in a gym bag on the go.
Under $60
REP Fitness 30-lb Slam Ball
Get that man in your life this slam ball from REP Fitness. With a durable shell, triangular tread for extra grip, and a dead bounce, this ball can take a beating rep after rep. Think he’ll need more than 30 pounds? No problem, these slam balls can go up to 100 pounds.
Under $20
Gymreapers Wrist Wraps
Available in nine colors, these wrist wraps will provide support through the heaviest lifts for any gym fanatic. With double stitching and high-grade nylon, these IPF-approved wraps are not only durable, but comfortable as well, with a heavy-duty thumb loop for easy adjustment and removal.
Under $30
Stance Crew Socks
The fitness lover in your life will appreciate the style of Stance socks. With an abundance of colorway options, these socks will be able to match his style of activewear easily. Made with performance in mind, these socks are breathable and cushioned to your preference.
Under $20
WOD Nation Jump Rope
If the man in your life likes CrossFit or simply getting a great jump in,, he will love this speed rope from WOD Nation. A light cable with a double-steel bearing system, it will spin fast and effortlessly. The jump rope comes in a variety of handle and cable colors, so you can customize it to his liking.
Best Strength Training Gifts
Best Barbell
Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar
If he is looking for a versatile barbell, this is the one to get him. Whether it’s for CrossFit, powerlifting, or weightlifting, this barbell will endure all types of strength training. Plus, it has lots of different finishes to choose from, including stainless steel or cerakote color options.
Best Weight Bench
REP AB-3100
Maybe the man in your life is looking to outfit his home gym. We recommend this adjustable bench, which will support lots of heavy benching with its weight capacity of 700 pounds. With six back pad adjustments ranging from flat to 85 degrees, it’ll work for a variety of exercises and needs.
Best Adjustable Dumbbell
Snode AD80
This is one of our favorite adjustable dumbbells to come out recently, and we know he’ll like them, too. Able to go from 10 to 80 pounds, these dumbbells are also covered with a one-year warranty that covers drops. He won’t have to worry about being gentle with these adjustable dumbbells.
Best Weight Plates
Vulcan Alpha Plates
With one of the best plate warranties on plates, the Vulcan Alpha ensures that the man in your life won’t have to worry about dropping these weights during home workouts. In our testing, these are one of the most durable plates on the market, able to be taken outdoors on concrete and show minimal wear.
Best Resistance Bands
Crossover Symmetry
These bands will provide great resistance training for him, but we think he’ll appreciate the shoulder health system that comes with the Crossover Symmetry. Following this program will help strengthen and “bulletproof” his shoulders for workouts and daily life.
Best Pull-Up Bar
Titan Adjustable Bar
To build upper body strength, this is the perfect gift for him. If he has the wall space, this bar has an adjustable depth that allows for a variety of bodyweight exercises to be done—a lot of versatility coming from a wall-mounted pull-up bar.
Best Cardio Equipment For Him
Best Air Bike
Rogue Echo Bike
This bike will provide a great cardio workout for the man in your life, whether it’s a bike for distance or power output. He’ll appreciate the LCD console and variety of intervals to choose from, as well as the ergonomic seat on top of sturdy steel construction—with a 350-pound weight limit.
Best Treadmill
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
This is one our favorite mid-range treadmills out there, and we think the running enthusiast in your life will like the value it’ll add to his garage gym. With a wide running deck that can be inclined or declined, it’s a fantastic, versatile treadmill for any runner with the space.
Best Rowing Machine
Concept2 RowErg
If your loved one is looking for a full-body workout that will get his heart rate up, we suggest the Concept2 RowErg. Easy to store when not in use, this rower can still support taller, bigger athletes, so this durable rower will last from lots of use.
Best Weight Sled
Shogun Sports Multi Purpose Sled
For the guy wanting to push and pull weights, this mini sled is a compact addition to his workout routine. With a hefty weight capacity, he can move some heavy weight with the Multi Sled. It also has a small footprint, meaning it will keep plenty of floor space open for other activities.
Best Weight Vest
Kensui EZ Vest
This is a unique vest for him that can use Olympic plates to add weight. This makes it a great choice for heavy bodyweight movements, or even lightweight endurance running. For whatever bodyweight workout he is wanting to do, this is a great weight vest for it.
Under-Desk Treadmill
Sunny Walkstation Slim
If your loved one wants to add a little more activity into his work day, this under-desk treadmill will be a great addition to his office space. He can walk at a standing desk during calls and meetings. He’ll love to be able to still get his steps in easily throughout a busy work day.
Best Fitness Accessories For Him
Best Headphones
Beats Studio 3
These over-ear noise-canceling headphones are stylish and will provide great sound quality for him during any workout. The guy in your life may never take these headphones back off, thanks to Bluetooth capability and up to 22 hours of battery life.
Best Weightlifting Belt
2POOD Straight Belt
Give your male fitness enthusiast a bit of support with the 2POOD straight belt. This belt is supportive enough for heavy lifting, and flexible enough for dynamic movements, making this a versatile weight belt. With bunches of color and style options, you’ll find something to match his style.
Best Massage Gun
Theragun Prime
Therabody’s massage gun is a fantastic addition to any health and wellness fanatic. This percussion-therapy tool is able to reach 16 millimeters into soft tissue, providing relief to sore muscles. He will rave over having the Theragun Prime added to his recovery tools.
Best Fitness Tracker
WHOOP 4.0
If the man in your life is a fan of the gym and tech gadgets, then the Whoop 4.0 is perfect for him, being one of the most-in-depth fitness trackers on the market. He’ll be able to track sleep patterns, stress, and recovery for better workouts. It’s like wearing a personal trainer on your wrist.
Best Knee Sleeves
REHBAND Rx
These knee sleeves will help support the joints during his heaviest lifts. They come in three different thicknesses, so you can choose the level of support. Along with a good amount of color options, this is a fantastic personalized accessory for the gym-goer in your life.
Best Wrist Wraps
MANIMAL Wrist Wraps
For a man working out across a diverse range of modalities, the MANIMAL wrist wraps will provide both support for lifting and flexibility for conditioning. Popular amongst powerlifts, Strongman competitors, and CrossFitters, these wrist wraps are also approved for USPA use.
Best Fitness Apparel for Him
Best Workout Shorts
Ten Thousand Tactical Short
These shorts were developed with members of the U.S. Special Operation Forces and made to endure the most rigorous training. The ripstop shell fabric is durable and light, making these pretty breathable shorts with quick-drying fabrics, allowing him to move in and out of water on the fly.
Best Leggings
Virus Racer Tech Pants
The guy in your life will dig the support these compression tights provide along with unrestricted movement. Virus leggings are made with technical recycled fabrics, made durable enough to withstand barbells during deadlifts, pulls, or any other workout he fancies.
Best Gym Shoes
Nike Metcon 9
If the gym goer in your life is wanting a versatile cross-trainer, the Nike Metcon 9 is it. Stable enough for heavy lifting, but flexible and cushioned enough for sprints and short cardio bursts. This is a must-have for a CrossFitter or functional fitness fan, plus he’ll love the color customization options, too!
Best Running Shoe
Brooks Glycerin 20
If he runs, this is the shoe for him. These shoes are comfortable and durable, able to support long-distance running with a wide midsole and outsole. Thanks to a diverse set of colorway options, you’ll be able to find the color and design that will best match his workout attire.
Best Weightlifting Shoe
Nike Romaleos 4
If that special someone in your life loves nothing more than to heave a heavy barbell around, these are the shoes for him. The raised heel and sturdy sole provide an incredibly stable platform for heavy squats, pulls, and Olympic lifts. The wider toe box will let his toes splay naturally as well.
Best Jogger
Lululemon License to Train
For joggers that can handle more than jogging, Lululemon License to Train Joggers are made abrasion-resistant, and durable. They’re not just water-resistant, but water-repellent. Whether he is looking to train burpees, or go backpacking outdoors, this is a great gift for him.
Best Supplement Gifts for Him
Best Creatine
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
This creatine is great for that man in your life looking to build muscle and strength. Nutricost creatine monohydrate comes in 5-gram unflavored doses, perfect to add to any protein shake, smoothie, or pre-workout drink without affecting the taste.
Best Protein
Legion Whey+
This protein is great for the gym fanatic in your life. Legion Whey+ is third-party tested and free from banned substances. Even better is the fact that it’s made with natural ingredients; the whey is even derived from grass-fed cows, making this a solid source of protein.
Best BCAAs
1st Phorm BCAA
Coming in five different flavors, 1st Phorm BCAA provides research-backed dosages of branch-chain amino acids per serving, making this great for his workout—before, during, or after. Plus, it mixes well and tastes phenomenal.
Best Multivitamin
Onnit Total Human Multivitamin
Make sure your fitness fanatic is supplementing fully with this multivitamin pack. Split into a day and night pack, this is a total of 16 pills of other Onnit products, designed to help focus in the daytime, and rest and recover during the night.
Best Electrolytes
Transparent Labs Hydrate V3
When he is in the gym all day, Transparent Labs Hydrate V3 is the ideal gift to help him stay hydrated. Naturally sweetened, Hydrate V3 provides electrolytes for hydration, but also has taurine that can help with performance and muscle recovery.
Best Pre-Workout
XWERKS Ignite
Give your fitness lover this pre-workout to help him start his workout energized and focused. Containing an abundance of pre-workout ingredients (L-citrulline, beta-alanine, and caffeine), XWERKS Ignite also provides nootropics to help increase mental alertness.
Other Gift Ideas for Male Fitness Aficionados
If you’re looking for even more gift-giving ideas, here are some of our best lists from different categories So maybe you didn’t find something on our list that works for that special someone just right. If that is the case, here are some of our best lists from other categories to help you brainstorm gift-giving ideas for the man in your life.
Our Favorite Products for Men
- Best Gym Shoes for Men
- Best Workout Shorts for Men
- Best Supplements for Men
- Best Walking Shoes for Men
- Best Protein Powder for Men
- Best Multivitamins for Men
- Best Pre-Workout for Men
- Best Fitness Gifts for Dad
Strength Training Gifts for Lifters
Gifts for Runners
- Best Running Headphones
- Best Long-Distance Running Shoes
- Best Backpacks for Runners
- Best Trail-Running Shoes
- Best Running Water Bottles
- Best Gifts for Runners
Tech Gifts for Men
- Best Smart Treadmills
- Best Smart Home Gym Equipment
- Best Workout Mirrors
- Best Fitness Trackers
- Best Workout Headphones
Best Recovery Gifts for Him
How to Choose Fitness Gifts For Him
Depending on what exactly you’re wanting to get him, there’s a few things to consider while getting a gift for the guy in your life.
Type of Training
How does he like to train? This will impact the types of gym equipment and fitness accessories you should look at. If he mostly dabbles in weight training, then maybe a barbell, some plates, or even a weight belt would be a gift to consider. If he’s a runner, then some running shoes would be a great item, or one of the best budget treadmills.
If you’re not sure about the specifics of his training routine, feel free to ask him. More than likely, he’d be more than willing to share. He’ll probably appreciate the questions, and it will get you more ideas on specific gifts for him.
Sizing
From moisture-wicking performance T-shirts to just a comfortable hoodie, any activewear you get for the guy in your life is going to require you to know his size. You can always ask straight to his face, but if you’re not wanting to give him any hints on your gift, then you can try being sneaky.
You could try to snoop through his closet to get some sizes of apparel or shoes you are thinking of getting him. If you don’t have easy access to his closet or clothes, you could also ask someone else to do the snooping for you—maybe a close friend or family member.
Footprint
If you’re looking at a larger item like a treadmill, air bike, or even a weight bench, you might want to consider how much space your gift will take up. Even if a giant power rack would be the perfect gift for him, sometimes the space of his home gym just doesn’t make sense for it. Ideally, the space needs to fit the piece of equipment, but also have adequate space around it, so that the fitness equipment can be accessed easily and safely.
Fitness Gifts for Him FAQs
What should I gift my gym friend?
There are a multitude of gift ideas for anyone who loves fitness. Most people will appreciate some smaller items, like shoes, apparel, and water bottles. Some smaller accessories could also be wrist wraps, a weightlifting belt, or knee wraps. There are plenty of gift options to give a friend at the gym.
What to buy for active men?
There are a lot of suggestions for gift ideas for active men on our gift guide, including slam balls, dumbbells, foam rollers, and activewear.
What is a good gift for someone trying to get fit?
If you have a friend looking to get fit, take note of what equipment they have or need. You can fill gaps with dumbbells or other home gym equipment. Other ideas include fitness apparel, support gear, or a fitness tracker that can be tracked on your phone or smartwatch.
A fitness tracker can be a great way to track metrics on your friend’s fitness journey, to help him get the most out of his training and recovery.
What should I get for my boyfriend who goes to the gym?
If your boyfriend is a gym-goer, you may not want to get fitness equipment that would need the floor space of a home gym. However, your boyfriend might appreciate support gear, such as workout shoes, knee sleeves, or wrist wraps. Additionally, you could look at recovery tools, such as a foam roller or massage gun.
Further reading
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If you’re looking to build your upper body, you’ll need a little push and pull. Try our trainer-created push-pull workout to get your results fast! Read more
Trying to get in a proper warmup? Doing the right stretches before running sets you up for a better workout. Read more
What’s so cool about the shoes CrossFit Games athletes wore in 2023? Find out in our TYR CXT-1 training shoes review. Read more